"Security challenges from Russia are not for a year or five": Zelenskyy points to new Russian bases and Ukraine's critical role for Europe
Kyiv • UNN
Zelenskyy announced the construction of new Russian bases near Europe. He emphasized the importance of Ukraine's experience in the context of defending against Moscow's prolonged aggression.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has chosen a long-term anti-European, anti-democratic strategy and is building its policy around it, emphasizing against this backdrop the importance of Ukraine, its experience, and capabilities for Europe, UNN reports.
"We hear from many leaders that not only does Ukraine need Europe, but Europe also needs Ukraine, and that is true. And given Russia's long-term intentions – the fact that Russian bases are now being built near Europe even in places where there were no military bases in Soviet times – this clearly indicates that without Ukraine, without our capabilities and our experience, it could be extremely difficult for Europe,"
According to him, "all of this must be taken into account."
"Security challenges from Russia are not for one year or five years. Russia has chosen a long-term anti-European, anti-democratic strategy and is building its policy around it. Nothing else is heard from Moscow,"
"Except that they try to bribe certain politicians with certain benefits. But not for the sake of peace, but so that these politicians simply sell out the interests of their nations and the common interests of Europe to Russia," the President continued. "In the end, they lose, like Orban, but many still try to make friends with Putin's wallets and turn a blind eye to what is actually happening. I want to thank all those who are nevertheless fighting for their peoples, for the interests of Europe, and for security in Europe—security with Ukraine."
At the same time, against the backdrop of expectations for the official opening of EU accession negotiations on Monday, Zelenskyy stated that he now wants to "personally thank European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa for their joint work and all European leaders, each and every one who makes strong and fair decisions." "I also congratulate Moldova on this progress. Ukraine and Moldova are covering this distance to full membership in the European Union together," the President emphasized.